Environment Components
1. Climate change
2. Air quality
3. Freshwater resources
4. Circular economy - waste and materials
5. Biological resources and biodiversity
6. Sustainable ocean economy
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1. CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures. Temperature rise is only the beginning of the story. Earth is a system, where everything is connected, changes in one area influence changes in all others: intense droughts, water scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms and declining biodiversity.
Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures. Temperature rise is only the beginning of the story. Earth is a system, where everything is connected, changes in one area influence changes in all others: intense droughts, water scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms and declining biodiversity.
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When burned, it releases carbon pollution into the atmosphere. Burning natural gas was responsible for 22% of global carbon emissions from fuel combustion in 2020 (oil: 32%, coal: 45%). (IEA)
Plus, the extraction and transport of natural gas releases methane – a powerful greenhouse gas. Natural gas production was responsible for 40 mill. tons of methane emissions in 2021 – about the same amount of methane emissions as from the oil industry. (IEA) (Methane is about 84 times more potent than CO2, measured over a 20-year period). (UNEP) |
Green technologies – from wind turbines and solar panels to electric vehicles and battery storage produce some emissions, but still far less than fossil fuels. (IEA) Most of the carbon pollution generated during a wind turbine’s life occurs during manufacturing. Once it’s up and spinning, the turbine generates close to zero pollution. A coal or natural gas plant releases carbon dioxide every moment that it runs. (Yale). Electric vehicles, over their lifecycle, produce about half the carbon emissions of the average internal combustion engine car, plus extra 25% reduction with low-carbon electricity. (IEA)
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New onshore wind and solar projects cost roughly 40 % less than coal or gas plants built from scratch—and the gap is widening. (BloombergNEF). Solar has experienced the most rapid cost reductions, with costs of newly commissioned utility-scale projects falling 88% globally between 2010 and 2021 - mostly thanks to continuing technology improvements, greater economies of scale and reduced financing costs for wind and solar power plants. The cost of onshore wind fell by 68 %, and offshore wind by 60% since 2010. (IRENA)
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UN Environment Programme - Essential Climate Variables
UN Migration - Climate Change and the Future of Human Mobility
UN Migration - Climate Change and the Future of Human Mobility
More on Clean energy
It create millions of jobsAbout 5 million jobs in fossil fuel production could be lost by 2030, but an estimated 14 million new jobs would be created in clean energy. (IEA).
The renewable energy sector employed 12.7 million people, directly and indirectly, in 2022, up from about 7.3 million in 2012. (IRENA). Tens of millions of additional jobs will likely be created in the coming decades as investments grow and installed capacities expand. By 2050, the renewable energy sector is expected to employ at least 42 million people. Energy efficiency measures would create 21 million additional jobs and system flexibility 15 million additional jobs. (IRENA) |
Alternatives to petroleum-based productsMany everyday products are still produced using oil or other fossil fuels. The production of plastic is one of the most energy-intensive manufacturing processes in the world.
The material is made from fossil fuels such as crude oil, which are transformed via heat and other additives into a polymer. In 2019, plastics generated 1.8 billion metric tonnes of carbon emissions – 3.4% of the global total. (UNEP). Alternatives? Plastic can be made fully or partially from plant materials, such as cellulose, potato or corn starch, sugar cane, maize and soy, instead of petroleum or natural gas. Bio-based plastic can be designed to be structurally identical to petroleum-based plastics. (UNEP) |
Entire countries already 100% on green energy
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Costa Rica, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Paraguay and Uruguay power their grids with green energy. (REN21), and some provinces and sub-national states: South Australia, Hawai, Quebec and Qinghai, islands like Eigg (Scotland), El Hierro (Spain), Graciosa (Portugal) and King Island (Australia). (REN21). Denmark, Scotland, South Australia and Hawaii export their surplus. (REN21). NOTE: No fully renewable-based energy systems that span the electricity, heating, cooling, and transport sectors (the above examples cover only electricity). The foundations of such systems are now being laid, including the technologies, infrastructure and markets. (REN21) |
Resources & Further reading on climate change:
2. FRESHWATER RESOURCES
Freshwater resources are of major environmental, economic and social importance. Their distribution varies widely among and within countries. Their availability and their quality are affected by water abstractions such as for public supply irrigation, industrial processes or cooling of electric power plants, pollution loads from agriculture, industry and households, changes in climate and weather conditions. Infrastructure developments can also affect the natural integrity of rivers, lake, aquifers and wetlands. If a significant share of a country’s water comes from transboundary rivers, tensions between countries can arise. In arid regions, freshwater resources may, at times, be limited to the extent that demand for water can be met only by going beyond sustainable use.
Source: Freshwater resources Indicators - here
Source: Freshwater resources Indicators - here
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3. AIR QUALITY
Air pollution is the world’s leading environmental health risk and a major cause of environmental degradation. Atmospheric pollutants from energy transformation and energy consumption, and from industrial processes, are the main contributors to regional and local air pollution. Human exposure is particularly high in urban areas where economic activities are concentrated and where demand for mobility is highest.
In the atmosphere, emissions of sulphur and nitrogen are transformed into acidifying substances such as sulphuric and nitric acid. When these substances reach the ground, acidification of soil, water and buildings occurs which cause severe environmental damage. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) also contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone (that is effectively and greenhouse gas) and are responsible for eutrophication, reduction in water quality and species richness. They are associated with adverse effects on human health because high concentrations cause respiratory diseases.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is another serious pollutant globally from a human health perspective. Chronic exposure even to moderate levels of PM2.5 substantially increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, the risk of respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory infections. Black carbon, a major component of PM2.5, accelerates global warming and fosters snowmelt. Emissions from transport, industry, electricity generation, agriculture and domestic (household) sources are the main contributors to outdoor air pollution.
Real-time air pollution exposure
In the atmosphere, emissions of sulphur and nitrogen are transformed into acidifying substances such as sulphuric and nitric acid. When these substances reach the ground, acidification of soil, water and buildings occurs which cause severe environmental damage. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) also contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone (that is effectively and greenhouse gas) and are responsible for eutrophication, reduction in water quality and species richness. They are associated with adverse effects on human health because high concentrations cause respiratory diseases.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is another serious pollutant globally from a human health perspective. Chronic exposure even to moderate levels of PM2.5 substantially increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, the risk of respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory infections. Black carbon, a major component of PM2.5, accelerates global warming and fosters snowmelt. Emissions from transport, industry, electricity generation, agriculture and domestic (household) sources are the main contributors to outdoor air pollution.
Real-time air pollution exposure
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Resources on air quality / air pollution:
4. CIRCULAR ECONOMY - waste and materials
Material resources form the physical foundation of the economy and are an important source of income and jobs. They differ in their physical and chemical characteristics, their abundance and their value to countries. Economic growth generally implies growing demand for raw materials, energy and other natural resources, and growing amounts of materials that end up as waste if not properly managed.
The use of raw materials from natural resources and the related production and consumption processes have environmental, economic and social consequences in countries and beyond national borders. The intensity and nature of these consequences depend on the kind and amounts of natural resources and materials used, the stage of the resource cycle at which they occur, the way the material resources are used and managed, and the type and location of the natural environment from where they originate. Main concerns relate to the pressures exerted on natural assets, the associated negative environmental impacts (upstream and downstream) from the extraction, processing and use of materials, and the potential impact from inappropriate waste management on human health and the environment such as soil and water pollution, air quality, climate change, degradation of natural habitats and ecosystems.
Source: Circular economy indicators
The use of raw materials from natural resources and the related production and consumption processes have environmental, economic and social consequences in countries and beyond national borders. The intensity and nature of these consequences depend on the kind and amounts of natural resources and materials used, the stage of the resource cycle at which they occur, the way the material resources are used and managed, and the type and location of the natural environment from where they originate. Main concerns relate to the pressures exerted on natural assets, the associated negative environmental impacts (upstream and downstream) from the extraction, processing and use of materials, and the potential impact from inappropriate waste management on human health and the environment such as soil and water pollution, air quality, climate change, degradation of natural habitats and ecosystems.
Source: Circular economy indicators
Source: OECD based on various other sources
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5. BIODIVERSITY and ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Biodiversity and ecosystem services are integral elements of natural capital. Biodiversity, which encompasses species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity, provides invaluable ecosystem services (including raw materials for many sectors of the economy) and plays an essential role in maintaining life-support systems and quality of life.
The loss of biodiversity is a key concern nationally and globally. It reduces ecosystem resilience and increases vulnerability to threats such as the negative impacts of climate change. Pressures on biodiversity can be physical (e.g. habitat alteration and fragmentation through changes in land use and sea use, and changes in land cover, over-exploitation of natural resources), chemical (toxic contamination, acidification, oil spills, other pollution from human activities) or biological (e.g. alteration of population dynamics and species structure through invasive alien species or the commercial use of wildlife resources). Other factors that play a role are changes in climate and weather conditions.
Sources:
Biodeversity indicators OECD
Biodiversity Indicators Partnership (BIP)
More information:
The loss of biodiversity is a key concern nationally and globally. It reduces ecosystem resilience and increases vulnerability to threats such as the negative impacts of climate change. Pressures on biodiversity can be physical (e.g. habitat alteration and fragmentation through changes in land use and sea use, and changes in land cover, over-exploitation of natural resources), chemical (toxic contamination, acidification, oil spills, other pollution from human activities) or biological (e.g. alteration of population dynamics and species structure through invasive alien species or the commercial use of wildlife resources). Other factors that play a role are changes in climate and weather conditions.
Sources:
Biodeversity indicators OECD
Biodiversity Indicators Partnership (BIP)
More information:
- UN Environment Programme - World Environment Situation Room
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6. SUSTAINABLE OCEAN ECONOMY
The ocean may be a new economic frontier (OECD, 2016) but foremost it is a shared global resource. Ocean-related industries in many countries have expanded with insufficient consideration for the environment, risking the natural resources and essential marine ecosystem services on which economies and the well-being of people depend.
The health of marine ecosystems is a key issue. Marine biodiversity sustains life in the ocean and life on land; marine biodiversity, composed of species, ecosystems and genetic diversity, provides critical ecosystem services like food and oxygen production and carbon sequestration. Biodiversity loss reduces the ability of marine ecosystems to provide these services and their capacity to recover from climatic or biogeochemical changes (Worm et al., 2006). The most important pressures on marine biodiversity are resource over-exploitation, pollution, habitat disturbance, climate change and invasive alien species (Halpern et al., 2017; OECD 2017a).
Closely linked is the well-being of people and the resilience of coastal communities to risks. Sea level rise, extreme weather events, over-extraction of marine resources, over-tourism, and air and water pollution from ocean industries and land-based sources can threaten the health, infrastructure and livelihoods of coastal population.
Source:More information:
The health of marine ecosystems is a key issue. Marine biodiversity sustains life in the ocean and life on land; marine biodiversity, composed of species, ecosystems and genetic diversity, provides critical ecosystem services like food and oxygen production and carbon sequestration. Biodiversity loss reduces the ability of marine ecosystems to provide these services and their capacity to recover from climatic or biogeochemical changes (Worm et al., 2006). The most important pressures on marine biodiversity are resource over-exploitation, pollution, habitat disturbance, climate change and invasive alien species (Halpern et al., 2017; OECD 2017a).
Closely linked is the well-being of people and the resilience of coastal communities to risks. Sea level rise, extreme weather events, over-extraction of marine resources, over-tourism, and air and water pollution from ocean industries and land-based sources can threaten the health, infrastructure and livelihoods of coastal population.
Source:More information:
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